The Problem
Initially I started my focus of this project on designing a well aesthetically resolved toilet that the user flushes using their foot rather than their hand. The purpose of this was the promote hygiene in public bathrooms. As I researched more into the topic I found that many toilets like this already existed and that the real problem was opening and closing doors in public bathrooms without the user having to touch them too. Creating a door that opens with out the user touching is easy with electricity. I however wanted to design a door that did not require electricity for the purpose of lowering costs and eliminating other issues that involve electricity around water.
My process involved research on what is currently on the market and lots of ideation. I found this project very challenging, especially when I changed direction from designing a toilet to designing a door opening system, one week before the due date of the assignment.
The solution I came up with was a hydro powered system controlled by the users foot.
How It Works
The cubicle door is spring loaded to always want to open. If a door is open, that tells that user that, that cubicle is vacant. To close the door behind them, the user must push down on the 'close door' button. The button controls a valve that releases mains water pressure into the actuator, forcing the door to be closed.
To open the door, the user must press their foot on the 'open door' button. This unlatches the door allowing the spring to force the water out from the actuator and the door to open. The water from the actuator is recycled into the cistern. This means that with this system, when compared to a cubicle without this system, there is no additional use of water.
Below shows a step by step of the system in use.
I would like to further continue with this project so I can resolve open and close door buttons properly.
